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Soap Challenge--Piping

I'm jumping into Amy W's soap challenge here in week 3--piping soap.  I chose to make a version of a batch I made last year--my Sweet Pea scented soap.  It was really popular for me last summer so why mess with a success?

Some soapers assume that piping soap means that it must be whipped, but it's not necessary to whip it first.  When I don't want the whipped look (or more frequently, don't want to clean beaters) I just let it sit until it thickens up on its own.  (By the way, don't you adore these itty-bitty dishes?  I just bought them a few weeks ago. A set of four cost $1 at the Dollar Tree!)

I used a Wilton tip #3 to make the little squiggles.
I added tip #103 sweet peas and made leaves with a # 352 tip.

One thing I love about piping soap....it never leaves even a trace of ash to spoil the design.
 
And then I took lots of pictures (it was a rather photogenic batch).  Here are a few--
These will be cured enough to have them at the last Winter Market of the season on April 21st and whatever is left I will add to my Zibbet shop.  (Of course, if you want to reserve one now, just send me an email....Mother's Day is May 13th, y'know....) 

Comments

  1. HollyApril 7, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    Lovely Amy! Your piping is stunning! I wish I could say the same about ash though. I've gotten ash on my piping both times. Maybe sweet pea is a more behaved fragrance?

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  2. Amy WardenApril 7, 2012 at 9:28 AM

    Gorgeous!!! Photogenic indeed!! I still have some sweet pea & rhubarb fragrance that would look great in a similar pattern...now that I said I wasn't sure about piping soap anymore LOL! I'm thinking you must have an ash-resistant soap recipe, cause my cupcakes look like they might have some ash on them as well.

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  3. Amy@10th Ave.April 7, 2012 at 9:31 AM

    Well, how funny is that??!! I have never gotten ash on any piped soap I've ever done--all different recipes and fragrances. I just assumed that it was because I was working with such heavily traced soap, but now I'm guessing there must be another reason!

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  4. LatherBeSoapingApril 7, 2012 at 9:57 AM

    Beautiful, Amy! The flowers are so cute. I've never tried piping soap - maybe I'll give it a go someday.

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  5. Amy@10th Ave.April 7, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    You definitely should try it! If you've never done any piping before, just search the Wilton website for tutorials or take a Wilton class at a craft store like Michaels.

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  6. CarolApril 7, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    Such a pretty soap and I love the squiggles!

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  7. PattiApril 7, 2012 at 11:51 AM

    Gorgeous gorgeous! I love sweet pea. This is just perfect!

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  8. SoapchickApril 7, 2012 at 12:24 PM

    Thats a lovely soap, funny, I too have been piping for years and have never, ever had ash on my cupcakes or cakes either!! How does that work then? I love this soap though, its so delicate and pretty

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  9. Traci RApril 7, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    Very Very pretty! I love the piping that you did.

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  10. aliApril 7, 2012 at 3:07 PM

    Que graciosos han quedado!!!.Felicidades.

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  11. EileenApril 7, 2012 at 4:16 PM

    Love this effect! Very nice

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  12. SarahApril 7, 2012 at 5:06 PM

    totally original and completely beautiful! awesome job!

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  13. KimApril 7, 2012 at 6:28 PM

    I love it!! Looks awesome!!

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  14. DandiCreationsApril 7, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    I just saw directions on making those and thought that it would be a future project. I had no idea where you were going with the swiggly lines but soon found out. That is a brilliant idea and the bars look simply beautiful. Great job!

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  15. TopcatApril 7, 2012 at 7:57 PM

    I remember seeing photos of your Sweet Pea soap last year and I think you may have even improved it for this year ~ and I didn't think that was possible! I love how creative you are <3

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  16. lwal50April 7, 2012 at 8:24 PM

    I really, really love your piping on this soap. Very different and looks stunning, xx Linda

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  17. Pipestone SoapsApril 7, 2012 at 9:26 PM

    This is beautiful! And you piping skills are amazing, loved the cake in previous post! :)))

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  18. Dragon (Karen)April 8, 2012 at 6:38 AM

    Your piping is amazing Amy! Your sweetpea soaps look fabulous!

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  19. PaulaApril 8, 2012 at 12:47 PM

    this is beautiful. I love it. I have a question for you though, I thought maybe you could help me out.

    Every time I make CP soap, it looks great at first, then
    I get "ash" on top of it. I make a very basic recipe, with olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, castor oil, and EO. I am never able to make a pretty top like yours because the "ash" on top would make it look ugly. Do you know why I get "ash" on top of my soap, and yours stay looking so lovely?

    Thank you for any suggestions.
    Paula

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  20. Amy@10th Ave.April 8, 2012 at 3:16 PM

    Isn't this fun? I'm enjoying this challenge and seeing everyone's versions of piped soap. Thanks, Amy of Great Cakes Soapworks for a fabulous idea!

    @Paula--did you see some of the early comments about ash? Ash is a huge mystery to me! I don't use palm oil, but no matter the recipe, I have to make sure that I pour at a thicker trace. Thin trace usually means ashing for me. If I think a batch may ash, I'll spray it with rubbing alcohol and it prevents it from forming. But I just don't understand it either.

    Happy Resurrection Sunday! Jesus is risen--indeed!

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  21. Two Blooms Design StudioApril 8, 2012 at 6:07 PM

    Your design is beautiful, you did a wonderful job.

    Michelle

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  22. LindaluApril 8, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    I absolutely love your sweet peas...

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  23. Anne-MarieApril 9, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    Totally gorgeous! I love the colors you used and your piping is fantastic!!

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  24. Donna OShaughnessyApril 11, 2012 at 8:34 AM

    Amy AMy AMy....How can I even attempt to pipe some soap when folks like you just BLOW the competition out of the water ! I still haven;t even tried to do my piping challenge yet but oh well, =OK, you have convinced me.

    PS you have anew follower!

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  25. Amy@10th Ave.April 11, 2012 at 2:58 PM

    You can do it, Donna! I've been decorating cakes since junior high, but some of these other soapers are piping the most amazing stuff as beginners!

    By the way, can I just call you 127now that our relationship is official?

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  26. Polly McNamaraApril 15, 2012 at 1:30 AM

    Beautiful, beautiful!!

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